Monday, January 30, 2012

I actually got two wallhangings sandwiched for quilting a little while ago. Now I can take the cover off my Bernina and do some machine quilting.

The all over flower pattern will go on my dining room table. That was a pattern I had taken out of a magazine a long time ago and I am pretty happy with it. I think it will quilt up nicely. Would look great in batiks, also, or 30's-40's reproduction fabric.

I like my little girls - they were fun to embroider. Found the line drawings on the web. Have no idea what you would ever do with it but that is the way with so many of the wallhangings we make. Fun to do and pretty to look at but no place to hang. Guess we need some long white halls to display all our pretties. It's such fun to try different colors and techniques.

Almost finished!! just have to do the single crochets in the chain spaces around the edge. One side done and another side partway! Attagirl, Carol!!!!!!!!!!!

Earlier this afternoon this herd of turkeys had a meeting around the tree in the front yard. Six of them have been casing the neighborhood everyday. Such funny birds. They look for seeds that people have out for the birds. Don't know what they were finding right here, though. They were hanging around for quite a while.

Yesterday afternoon, my friend Julie came over for a visit. Julie is making just wonderful ATC's, journals, and other altered art. She brought along some of the things she has made lately and some that she has received from some of the ladies she trades art with. She has her pretty pieces posted on her blog http://justtickety-boo.blogspot.com/ but it so much fun to hold them and look at them closely. Julie has found her niche! Later Sherry came and got me and I went home with her for a steak and shrimp (on the grill) dinner. Was that ever good - it hit the spot! That was just the 4th time I have been out since the 6th. However, I am doing okay in that department since I don't have any trouble finding things to do.

I keep my cellphone close. Figure it's a good idea to have it at hand especially if I go to the basement. So in my pocket it goes. However, I have a couple of pair of pants that don't have pockets - what to do. How about a sock - pinned to my waistband with a safety pin. Works like a charm. I was telling Molly about it when she called and told her I would have to patent the idea. Molly said I could call it a stocket! That's your chuckle for today.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Tuesday afternoon, my friend, Kathy, came over and spent the afternoon with me. It was so good to have her here - and she brought along some of the things she has been working on and some she is going to be starting. This beautiful piece is Edyta Sitar's Friendship Strips and Scraps, but done in Kathy's beautiful colors. The baskets are from striped fabric rather than strip pieced. Gorgeous. The applique is done with the machine buttonhole - check out the bird's beak. She certainly has mastered that art.

A look at more of the baskets. When this quilt is completed, it will be covered with absolutely beautiful machine quilting - little bitsy circles, feathers and other awesomeness.

Two of the baskets for a closer look. I look forward to seeing her completed quilt - it will be a beauty.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I should have posted yesterday - don't know why I didn't. My trip to the doctor showed the tests I have had already are not showing anything to cause much concern. They are going to do two more tests in early February so we'll see what they show. Then on to the doctor for a look at my lungs. In the meantime, I am feeling well and, although not quilting, I have been working on the zigzag granny afghan and joining the blocks of -

there are two rows left to get together - one of them just has one block to join to the row and the other needs all five joined. I also have two sets of two long rows joined and when it is entirely in one piece, I will crochet an edging in white. I have some yarn coming from Joann.com for the zigzag granny. It is for sure if I have to be more homebound, I have plenty of things I can do that I enjoy. There are several wallhangings just waiting for backing and batting and quilting.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Still feeling good - and anxious to see the cardiologist on Monday to see how things are progressing. Have to watch which way I go wearing this tube or I can get tied in knots. Actually, it's not that bad and there are things that could be much worse. I haven't used the little portable tank I have yet. The weather has been really cold and we've had snow. I probably wouldn't be going out much when it's like this anyway. I also have not been quilting like I thought I would but I'm sure that will change. The afghan is coming along -

Earlier in the week it was at this stage. Now--

A few more rows of color. I sent an order for more yarn and it should be here Monday. So cool to be able to shop without braving the elements! The internet is wonderful - there is so much to see and do. And I have been spending time on Pinterest. I am seeing lots of people I know on it. So much to see - so many ideas - everything under the sun. Here is an idea I found that you might like--

Aren't these just wonderful? If you have some vintage needlework that is in very shabby condition, part could be salvaged in this very sweet and clever way.

Some lovely vintage items--those always get my eye.

How about these beautiful pillowcases edged in crochet? Absolutely gorgeous.

Thinking about all the girls at the retreat this weekend - those are always so much fun. Enjoy!

Monday, January 16, 2012

﻿Actually feeling better as far as being tired and short of breath. I am able to do anything that my 50 feet of tubing will let me reach and that includes the basement, so I can do the laundry with no problem. Doing laundry anymore is not a big task since there are only a couple of loads per week.

I can always look around on the internet - what fascinating stuff is out there - and I have been getting back to doing handwork again. Luckily, like many quilters, I can always find things I love to do. And, my heavens, there are plenty of unfinished projects to work on!! I have about finished the turning of the triangles on my Mexican star from some months ago. It will then be ready for quilts - and that would be no problem, either.

The picture I posted at the top is something I found that I really like. I have also been working on putting together my granny afghan - but the part I am at now is pretty hard to keep at for a long time. It's turning out very pretty and I will keep at it. However, I found this zigzag granny that when it is done, it's done! So, oh my,I started another one.

I want to do it in the bright colors and this is how it's starting. I may need some hot pink and maroon but it will be pretty random. I don't intend to have the granny squares in the middle - just will work it all from one end. So far, I like it. I also have a Kaffe Fassett book that has knitting in it and I want to check that out for colors.

One day at a sewing group, one of the girls had a copy of a new magazine -

It was so pretty - no ads and great pictures and patterns. I took one of the little cards and ordered it. It arrived in my mailbox the other day and I really like it. It's all primitive, lots of wool and reminds me of my friend Leslie. I love all sorts of styles of quilting and, if you love the primitive, this is a great one.

One page of the index.

Two of the projects. Pretty cute, don't you think?

This afternoon I am to get a small portable tank that will get me to the grocery store and out for a little while. Thank you so much for your sweet comments - I will keep you posted. Right now, things are good.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

...and just wanted to let you know the Funoldhag is dealing with an issue that requires me to be on a 50 foot plastic tube tethered to an oxygen machine. I am feeling fine - probably better than a week ago - but am in the process of finding out what has been making me tired and shortwinded. I have had incredible health in my 83 years and have been so very blessed with that and a wonderful family.

My tube can get me to the basement to the washer and dryer - am I not lucky? LOL! Right now I have put some soup in the crockpot and will have some good meals from that. My daughter, Sherry, is taking good care of things for me. I have an order for a portable tank that can be used for trips to the grocery store, etc.

I really haven't been doing anything in the way of needlework (will get back to that) so for a picture in this post I probably can find one of my little great grandson, Henry.

Here he is at 5 months! And he's on his choo choo train quilt! Will keep you posted! So far, so good.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy 2012! I wonder if it will fly by as quickly as 2011. Most likely it will. It was a very nice Christmas here.

Here is Hannah back on a vacation from the Peace Corps holding her new nephew who (or whom?) she had never seen. (I was fairly good in grammar but could never remember that or shall and will.) Henry holds his stocking.

Missing were Molly and Doug from Portland, but we opened gifts with them as we skyped. That just blows me away. Bill and Ann, my son and his wife, came in Tuesday to see Hannah and we had three days. So all in all a very nice Christmas considering the family is so scattered.

I have been dragging the last two days, but will get my steam up again. Have to put away the things I got out and get the house back to some semblance of order. There is no need to push myself. Hope your Christmas was good and may 2012 be a healthy, happy year for you and yours.

Pieces of the Past

Here's Henry

And Here's Annie

And Here's Lauren

About Me

My name is Carol. I am a quiltaholic. I am now 85 years old and have been blessed with a wonderful family and good health. Keeping busy is no problem for me - in fact, I don't do much cleaning and cooking anymore. I have been quilting for about 35 years. Working on this computer is so amazing - how glad I am that I got in on this in my lifetime.

Funoldhag

(Selfies are in - I was gritting my teeth and taking pics of myself the other day. OMG, I hate how I look on the cellphone screen. However, there is the great delete button that you can get rid of the many bad pictures. I thought this one wasn't too bad so here is a current pic of Funoldhag.) AKA Carol---------My middle granddaughter and I used to tease and call each other silly names. She called me "the old hag" but always with a twinkle in her eye. I added "fun" to it and used it as one of my screennames.

The Start of it All

In 1972 when we moved to Overland Park, Kansas, I was given some quilt blocks by my neighbor. She knew I sewed and these had been made by her mother. She was in her 70's at that time. I put the blocks together with like white blocks. We would go to Arkansas a couple of times a year to fish and would always visit Eureka Springs, a darling little town in the Ozarks. I had never quilted but found a quilt shop there and eventually took the top to have it quilted in Arkansas. The backing and batting were included in the price of $50.00 for hand quilting. I took two other quilts down there before I finally started quilting them myself.